Inspiring reason this man is losing 12kg this month

Brothers Geoff and Graham Christy share a strong bond. So when Geoff was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer in 2016, Graham was spurred into action.

Brothers Geoff and Graham Christy share a strong bond.

They spent much of their childhood travelling around regional NSW with their father’s work. Changing schools and towns often meant the brothers stuck together, regularly joining sporting teams together in an effort to make friends and immerse themselves in their new community.

Brothers Graham (left) and Geoff (right).

So when Geoff was diagnosed with advanced testicular cancer two years ago at the age of 37, older brother Graham was right there beside him.

“Before the diagnosis Geoff had stomach pains and didn’t do anything about it. He left it for about three months and eventually got badgered to go and speak with a doctor,” recalls Graham, 41.

“Mum and dad went in and spoke to the doctor to get some idea of how bad it was … the doctor said ‘based on his age and how far it has progressed you may need to say what you need to say to each other now’ … that was hard to hear”.

Geoff was stage 2 when he was diagnosed and it progressed quickly to stage 3 as the cancer spread to his lungs. He immediately started treatment.

“Luckily the chemo and changes in diet over 12 months got him into remission,” says Graham.

“But that was obviously an extremely stressful time for us”.

Geoff was undergoing chemotherapy during the 2016 Movember campaign.

Incredibly, two weeks after it was announced that Geoff was in remission, their mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.

But in 2018 the family has reason to celebrate, with both family members in remission.

“My brother’s got his second year of all clear and mum’s got her first year all clear,” says Graham.

Movember is now a cause close to Graham’s heart and he speaks with news.com.au on behalf of the men’s health organisation.

It’s not only physical health that has affected Graham’s life — moving around regional Australia so much in his youth meant Graham encountered a number of men struggling with mental health issues.

“I had a lot of friends who had passed on … one of the guys in our class when I was in Tamworth he got on the wrong end of large group ... and he ended up (killing) himself. He was helping out with his sibling who had Down syndrome.

“Another mate at Tamworth he went and did Pathways as a way of extending his HSC … we found out his mum had a serious illness and he did Pathways to get a perfect score of 100 to make his mum proud of him. He didn’t get the score and at the same time he found out his mum only had a few months to live.

“My dad has had depression all of his life.”

Graham, Geoff and their father.

Graham has given himself the challenge of losing 12kg during Movember, as a tribute to his brother (who lost 12kg during the cancer treatment) and to also improve his own health.

“At the time he was doing chemo I had always wanted to do mixed martial arts so I tried out for a program but unfortunately I didn’t get through.

“I was starting to put on the kilos — I could see my young daughter was following the same path and I thought I had to be a good role model for her.

Graham before his weight loss.

The next year Graham got into the Wimp2Warrior martial arts program and in the course of the 22-week program he went from 106kg down to the 89kg.

“Then as I went back to work and was running off three hours sleep I went back up to 117. ”When I saw what I had said last year and the year before it was a reminder that I really need to get my weight back under control. So I decided to do it again.

So far Graham has lost 4kg through a restricted diet and going to the gym three nights a week.

He is also playing his beloved soccer again with his brother, who is finally well enough to play with their club again.

“For a while there because of his health we couldn’t get insurance from clubs for him to play sport – but this year he has come back to soccer and he is in his second year back at cricket so that was great for him … and it’s a great way for me to spend extra time with him.

Geoff and Graham are finally able to play soccer together again.

For crisis support, Lifeline provides a 24/7 line, as well as online resources on a range of issues affect both men and women. Call 13 11 14 or visit www.lifeline.org.au.

The Movember Foundation is stopping men dying too young. They’re taking action but they need your help. Donate now at Movember.com

Originally published as Inspiring reason this man is losing 12kg this month